Old ways pa rin! Farmers having a hard time to adapt to good agri practices

Change is good, but if you’re used to the old ways, changing can be a challenge.

Some local conventional farmers are having a hard time adjusting to good agricultural practices or GAP, which is being pushed by government, private sector and non-government organizations, Inquirer said.

GAP are audits that validate that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled and stored as securely and securely as possible to diminish risks of microbial food safety hazards.

Farmers need to get an authorization that they are abiding to GAP regulations.

Bert Castillo, head agriculturist at the Integrated Laboratories Division of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7), says that as part of the GAP, the government is endorsing its Integrated Pest Management (IPM) platform, which includes the proper use and selection of suitable pest management techniques to lessen pest injury at points below those causing substantial loss.

He further expounds that the procedure begins with the right selection of seeds. Some seed varieties that can bear pests. The land also has to be properly prepared. Plowing the land can bare worms pupating in the soil.

Sunlight exposure can kill these pests. There’s also suitable fertilization of the land to be utilized for farming, Inquirer reported.

Use of chemical pesticides, Castillo said, even if the safest variety, will have to be the last option.